Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and experienced nurse or Allied Health Professional (AHP) to join the Surgical Division as a Cardiac Elective Pathway Coordinator (Band 7).
This pivotal role is responsible for leading and coordinating the elective cardiac surgery pathway, ensuring patients receive safe, timely and patient-centred care from referral through to admission for surgery. The postholder will work across multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient readiness, reduce cancellations, improve theatre utilisation and enhance overall patient experience.
The successful candidate will combine advanced clinical knowledge with strong organisational and leadership skills, acting as a key liaison between patients, consultants, anaesthetists and operational teams to deliver a seamless and efficient elective pathway.
This post is a 12-month secondment opportunity.Internal applicants must have approval from their current line manager prior to applying
Main duties of the job
The Cardiac Elective Pathway Coordinator will lead the coordination and optimisation of the elective cardiac surgery pathway, ensuring safe, timely and efficient care delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
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Triage and prioritise new cardiac referrals, ensuring timely allocation to consultant-led clinics.
-
Coordinate and undertake pre-operative assessments at point of listing, TCI (To Come In) stage and Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA).
-
Monitor and review diagnostic investigations to confirm clinical readiness for surgery, escalating concerns appropriately.
-
Lead the management of the elective waiting list, including pooled lists, to ensure equitable and timely access to surgery.
-
Work collaboratively with scheduling and operational teams to optimise theatre utilisation and reduce last-minute cancellations.
-
Act as a key point of contact for patients and families, providing expert clinical advice, education and support throughout the pathway.
-
Identify patients requiring pre-habilitation or optimisation and coordinate appropriate referrals.
-
Prepare case summaries and support multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions, ensuring agreed actions are followed through.
-
Contribute to service improvement initiatives, audits and quality monitoring aligned with Trust and national standards.
-
Support pathway coordinators and administrative colleagues in managing pathway delays and patient queries
About us
As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.
We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.
We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.
Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.
Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/
Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
-
Triage and prioritise new cardiac referrals, ensuring appropriate and timely allocation to consultant-led clinics.
-
Coordinate and undertake pre-operative assessments at point of listing, TCI (To Come In) stage and Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA).
-
Review and monitor diagnostic investigations to determine surgical readiness, escalating concerns appropriately and arranging further investigations in line with agreed protocols.
-
Identify patients requiring pre-habilitation or optimisation and facilitate timely referral to relevant services.
-
Support shared decision-making and informed consent processes, particularly for patients with complex cardiac conditions.
-
Provide expert clinical advice, education and support to patients and families throughout the elective pathway.
-
Identify complex health and psychosocial needs and coordinate appropriate onward referrals.
-
Act as a patient advocate, ensuring high standards of communication and continuity of care.
-
Ensure patients at risk of complex recovery are escalated appropriately within the MDT.
-
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient documentation in line with professional and Trust standards.
Leadership and Management
-
Lead coordination and management of the cardiac elective waiting list, including pooled lists, ensuring equitable and timely access to surgery.
-
Work collaboratively with operational and scheduling teams to optimise theatre utilisation and reduce cancellations.
-
Support pathway coordinators and administrative teams in resolving pathway delays and patient queries.
-
Contribute to service planning, pathway redesign and transformation initiatives.
-
Act as a clinical role model, supporting the development of junior staff and promoting best practice.
-
Participate in audit, data collection and reporting to inform performance monitoring and service improvement.
-
Contribute to development and implementation of protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
-
Support digital transformation initiatives, including effective use of electronic patient records and scheduling systems.
Quality and Governance
-
Monitor and evaluate quality of care across the elective pathway, identifying opportunities for improvement.
-
Support investigation and response to incidents, complaints and patient feedback.
-
Participate in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing cancellations, improving patient flow and enhancing outcomes.
-
Benchmark performance against national standards and best practice guidance.
-
Ensure compliance with information governance, safeguarding, infection prevention and risk management policies.
Professional Responsibilities
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Maintain professional registration and adhere to regulatory body standards.
-
Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
-
Participate in clinical supervision, peer review and relevant professional forums.
-
Contribute to education and training of nursing, AHP and medical colleagues.
-
Develop collaborative networks locally, regionally and nationally to support service development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
-
Triage and prioritise new cardiac referrals, ensuring appropriate and timely allocation to consultant-led clinics.
-
Coordinate and undertake pre-operative assessments at point of listing, TCI (To Come In) stage and Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA).
-
Review and monitor diagnostic investigations to determine surgical readiness, escalating concerns appropriately and arranging further investigations in line with agreed protocols.
-
Identify patients requiring pre-habilitation or optimisation and facilitate timely referral to relevant services.
-
Support shared decision-making and informed consent processes, particularly for patients with complex cardiac conditions.
-
Provide expert clinical advice, education and support to patients and families throughout the elective pathway.
-
Identify complex health and psychosocial needs and coordinate appropriate onward referrals.
-
Act as a patient advocate, ensuring high standards of communication and continuity of care.
-
Ensure patients at risk of complex recovery are escalated appropriately within the MDT.
-
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient documentation in line with professional and Trust standards.
Leadership and Management
-
Lead coordination and management of the cardiac elective waiting list, including pooled lists, ensuring equitable and timely access to surgery.
-
Work collaboratively with operational and scheduling teams to optimise theatre utilisation and reduce cancellations.
-
Support pathway coordinators and administrative teams in resolving pathway delays and patient queries.
-
Contribute to service planning, pathway redesign and transformation initiatives.
-
Act as a clinical role model, supporting the development of junior staff and promoting best practice.
-
Participate in audit, data collection and reporting to inform performance monitoring and service improvement.
-
Contribute to development and implementation of protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
-
Support digital transformation initiatives, including effective use of electronic patient records and scheduling systems.
Quality and Governance
-
Monitor and evaluate quality of care across the elective pathway, identifying opportunities for improvement.
-
Support investigation and response to incidents, complaints and patient feedback.
-
Participate in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing cancellations, improving patient flow and enhancing outcomes.
-
Benchmark performance against national standards and best practice guidance.
-
Ensure compliance with information governance, safeguarding, infection prevention and risk management policies.
Professional Responsibilities
-
Maintain professional registration and adhere to regulatory body standards.
-
Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
-
Participate in clinical supervision, peer review and relevant professional forums.
-
Contribute to education and training of nursing, AHP and medical colleagues.
-
Develop collaborative networks locally, regionally and nationally to support service development.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oCurrent professional registration (NMC, HCPC)
- oRelevant degree or diploma in nursing or allied health profession.
- oEvidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- oMasters or willingness to work towards
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oMinimum of 3 years post registration experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
- oSpecialist knowledge across a range of specialities
- oEvidence of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- oEvidence of providing patient centred education and support
- oDemonstrable experience of clinical teaching
- oParticipation in nursing, and/or AHP and medical audit
- oEvidence of leading and facilitating change
- oEvidence of leading quality improvement projects
Desirable
- oUnderstanding of the Surgical elective pathway
- oParticipation in research
- oFinancial awareness including CIP and workforce planning
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oAble to make clinical decisions using reliable data and information, including clinical data.
- oCritically analyse challenges and be proactive in developing potential solutions
- oAbility to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- oAble to work flexibly and collaboratively.
- oAbility to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- oConflict resolution skills
- oKnowledge of all Trust electronic systems and processes
- oKnowledge and experience of IT systems and ability to use them to undertake analysis of data.
- oAbility to communicate complex information to all clinical groups.
- oUnderstanding of current NHS issues and the impact of these on patient pathways.
Desirable
- oProven teaching and assessing skills
- oExperience of preparing performance reports
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- oSelf-motivated and confident
- oEnthusiastic
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- oCurrent professional registration (NMC, HCPC)
- oRelevant degree or diploma in nursing or allied health profession.
- oEvidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- oMasters or willingness to work towards
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- oMinimum of 3 years post registration experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
- oSpecialist knowledge across a range of specialities
- oEvidence of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- oEvidence of providing patient centred education and support
- oDemonstrable experience of clinical teaching
- oParticipation in nursing, and/or AHP and medical audit
- oEvidence of leading and facilitating change
- oEvidence of leading quality improvement projects
Desirable
- oUnderstanding of the Surgical elective pathway
- oParticipation in research
- oFinancial awareness including CIP and workforce planning
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- oAble to make clinical decisions using reliable data and information, including clinical data.
- oCritically analyse challenges and be proactive in developing potential solutions
- oAbility to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- oAble to work flexibly and collaboratively.
- oAbility to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- oConflict resolution skills
- oKnowledge of all Trust electronic systems and processes
- oKnowledge and experience of IT systems and ability to use them to undertake analysis of data.
- oAbility to communicate complex information to all clinical groups.
- oUnderstanding of current NHS issues and the impact of these on patient pathways.
Desirable
- oProven teaching and assessing skills
- oExperience of preparing performance reports
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- oSelf-motivated and confident
- oEnthusiastic
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
